New Portuguese president promises stability

Portugal’s new centre-left president vowed to work for stability in a country that has seen three elections since 2022, as he was sworn in to office on Monday.

Antonio Jose Seguro beat far-right rival Andre Ventura last month in a run-off vote held after weeks of devastating storms that killed at least seven and caused an estimated four billion euros ($4.6 billion) in damage.

The president has a largely ceremonial role in Portugal, and Seguro promised “loyal cooperation” with the minority right-wing government.

“I will do everything I can to put an end to this electoral frenzy,” he told parliament, lamenting the inability of recent governments to see out their terms.

As war rages in the Middle East and US President Donald Trump pursues his “America First” approach, Seguro called for “not giving up on multilateralism”.

“The force of law has been replaced by the power of the strongest,” said Seguro.

The 63-year-old succeeds conservative Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who was not allowed to run again and leaves office at 77 after two five-year terms.

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